12: At Least We Tried

"So what we're going to do, Master? Kill them one after another or all at once?"

Sola-Ui really felt like she'd been born anew.

It was a refreshing sensation - to walk the silent streets of Fuyuki at night, not being locked in the apartment, like nothing more than Kayneth's possession. She hesitated only for a while when Avenger proposed to leave their temporal hideout and take a look on 'the future battleground', thinking that their enemies would attack if they spot two women walking around so carelessly.

"Let them try," her Servant replied with a wide, disturbingly innocent smile. Somehow it washed away all Sola's doubts and fears in a second.

Her fallen princess of the North, her Black Widow was strong, Sola-Ui knew it. But magical and physical strength alone were not enough, they must be prepared for every challenge. Avenger was late, she missed many occasions to watch their potential opponents in action, to discover their weak spots and special moves. That was a duty of her Master - to fill the Servant with all the knowledge she and Kayneth had gathered until now.

"Tohsaka's classless Servant seems the most powerful and troublesome," she said, breathing in the cold, night air. "He can summon multiple weapons out of nowhere and fire them like rain on his prey."

"Interesting," Avenger murmured, although it was not certain if she means Gilgamesh's unique abilities or just the lights on distant buildings. She was curious about everything in the modern world, but her expression seemed strangely nostalgic.

"Then there's Einzbern's Lancer, the mounted warrior. She gives some dark vibes, just like you, no one doubts that she's dangerous."

"Oh? A fallen knight? Now I'm interested." Avenger smiled, involuntarily touching the hilt of her sword, like checking if the blade is safe and within her reach. "I guess we can have a nice and long conversation… with our weapons."

Sola-Ui chuckled at her Servant's enthusiasm. Kayneth's pathetic Archer had been almost crushed by Lancer and had nothing good to say about her except stating that 'she's scary'. Avenger did not look worried at all, quite the opposite to be honest.

"And the last one who can match your potential is Einzbern's Saber, I think." Sola-Ui tilted her head, taking a closer look at the dark sword, which seemed corrupted by shadow. "Actually, the sword he uses is almost like yours. But his blade is silver and pure." She chuckled. "Make me think of a typical hero in shining armor, truly!"

A strange light appeared in Avenger's red eyes.

"How does he look like?"

"Him? Tall, muscular. Long, platinum hair. Blue eyes. A shining pattern on his chest. Quite handsome to me."

Avenger went silent for a long, disturbing while. Sola-Ui tried to understand all the emotions hidden in her strange expression: was it sadness? Anticipation? Hope or longing? Maybe a little bit of everything at once?

"You know him?" – she asked, bringing her Servant back to reality.

"Maybe," the black widow replied carefully, but then shrugged, like it didn't matter. She quickly returned to her old, suspiciously optimistic self. "So what we're going to do, Master? Kill them one after another or all at once? Maybe you want to punish Archer for not saving you? I'm good in taking revenge on such unworthy men."

Sola-Ui blinked, surprised, but then laughed at loud at this 'innocent' proposition.

It sounded fun, to be honest. Yeah, they're definitely going to punish a lot of unworthy men's scum together.

"Huh? Someone's trying to be stylish by coming late?" Robin raised one eyebrow, looking at their last guest. Siegfried sighed, noticing that Archer behaves much more bravely than usual when he's safely hidden behind his bigger friend's back.

Gilgamesh, in all his shining glory, stared at Robin like at an interesting cockroach, which surprisingly developed an ability to speak.

"Trying?" The King of Heroes clearly wanted to say something more mean, but focused on Lancer and Rider – with Waver behind his back; although he was the only Master present at their meeting, the rest was certainly listening carefully from distance - then at the wine in their glasses, and winced meaningfully.

"What's wrong, Goldy?" Rider sniffed, checking the red liquid, but did not see anything unusual about it. "We're not going to poison you, so sit, have a drink."

"You truly are a barbarian to propose someone such a lowly liquor. It's not good enough to call it a wine."

"Hmmm…" Iskandar was only slightly offended. "It's the best I could find in this town."

"Hmpf," Gilgamesh snorted and, before he finally decided to sit down between Lancer and Rider, he summoned a jug and new glasses from one of his golden portals. "I'm not sure if all of you are worthy of such noble drink, but… Let it be, just once. Know the generosity of your king. You gave me some fun, after all."

No one commented, probably they were all charmed by the outstanding quality of Gilgamesh's wine. Such a good drink was worth enduring a bit of mocking.

"That was really something," Rider admitted with appreciation. "So, Archer. Tell us what you know."

"Right." Robin cleared his throat before speaking; his cheeks were almost red from wine, jitters or maybe from both. "Something sleeps under the mountain. It gathers dark energy, seems to grow stronger with every defeated Servant. And still wants more, I guess, because it summons more Servants than usual, so we can assume tha…"

"Wait." Gilgamesh shamelessly interrupted Archer's speech. "We came here only to be filled with some… speculations and childish fears? I've been told that this so-called meeting will be about the Grail."

"Of course it is about the Grail!" Robin frowned. "What did you think? That we'll gather here, discuss for a while and choose a winner?"

"Something like that, as expected from famous kings and heroes, but it's rather hopeless with such ignorant mongrels like you around."

"Actually this is a good idea." Rider stroke his beard, ignoring Robin's non-verbal protests. "But, unfortunately, we must discuss something else first."

"Yes!" To say that Archer was irritated would be an understatement. "We have the Grail that is probably corrupted, because it acts on his own, summons evil and classless Heroic Spirits, and gathers energy for something… I don't really know what kind of 'something' it is, but it can't be good!"

"What would happen if we just agree to stop this madness?" Surprisingly, Asako came to Robin's aid. "The Grail War wouldn't end anyway, would it?"

When no one dared to speculate about it, Siegfried decided to speak.

"If the system recognizes it as an alliance, it will just summon more Servants, a full team, to fight us. The same thing will happen if we decide to destroy the Grail. Well, probably. No, this War won't end, at least some of us must die to end it."

And Lady Irisviel… Iri… will die as well, Saber thought. They all must have noticed his worried expression and clenched fist, but his words surprised them even more.

"You know unexpectedly much about this matter, Saber," Arturia commented, her golden eyes pierced Siegfried like knives.

"I'm not even sure why… Don't ask me. It may be just a memory of my core. Anyway…"

"…we have no choice but to kill each other?" Assassin could not see any other solution.

"No, we have a choice." Siegfried shook his head, he was absolutely serious. "As legendary heroes we need to do what is right. It's our duty to choose the right path."

"Oh?" Iskandar looked surprised, but he asked honestly, without mockery. "And what are you planning to do, Dragon Slayer?"

"I won't be fighting anymore."

"Really? What a strange thing to hear from you. Are you a coward?"

"No, I just follow the orders of my Master."

"Then I expect you" – Arturia looked extremely serious – "to understand why I can't abandon the Grail, Saber. I, too, will simply follow the wish of my Master. It's my duty as a knight."

"You, once the greatest king of Britain, degraded yourself to a role of a subject, Lancer?" Gilgamesh sipped his wine, his movements were extremely elegant.

"We, Heroic Spirits, were summoned here to help our Masters, inspire them, maybe even to guide – that's exactly what's legends are for. Any of us who forgets about his role and tries to rule mortals or change reality long after his death, should be punished. Such behavior is simply unforgivable. I'm not a king anymore, my time has long gone, but I will always remain a knight. I will simply crush anything on my Master's path to victory, that's all."

"I take it for a challenge." Even Gilgamesh's eyes were smiling at this possibility.

"Do as you please, King of Heroes." Arturia was not losing this exchange of predatory expressions.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Robin could not stand it anymore. "Have you heard nothing of what had been just said? Most likely something really bad is going to happen if we keep fighting each other, and you still insist on continuing the War? Really?"

"Archer," Rider spoke up at last, more serious than before. "I understand what you're trying to say but tell me, honestly… what do you think we should do?"

"I have no idea! That's why we gathered here tonight. A bunch of extremely famous heroes should be at least able to figure something out, right?"

A heavy silence was the only answer for his question.

"Well, that's what I thought. Seems I was wrong. This wine doesn't help us either…" Archer sighed. "But… We must consider the possibility that the wish a of the winner won't be granted. And our deaths will be absolutely meaningless."

"So we should have some fun before it happens?" Rider smiled. Behind him Waver swallowed slowly, truly terrified. "Sounds good to me."

"No, I mean… eh, whatever."

"As expected, this conversation is meaningless." Lancer closed her eyes, refusing to take a part in this farce any longer.

"I agree." Gilgamesh was first to stand up. "But it was not a complete waste of time. Do as you please, funny mongrels. I won't let you lay a hand on the Grail anyway." He turned around and it was obvious, that he speaks only to Arturia. "You'll have to come and take it."

Fortunately for everyone, he vanished before the King of Knights has completely lost her patience.

"What about you, King of Conquerors?" – Siegfried asked after a moment of heavy silence, hoping that at least one Servant will join his crazy alliance.

"I haven't decided yet." Rider summoned his chariot with a quick slash of his sword. "I need to consider it first, and find more evidence before I'll give you my answer. Is it enough for you, Saber?"

"More than enough."

"Good." Iskandar smiled. "Whatever happens, remember that you promised me a nice duel. I look forward to it!"

Siegfried could not hide his smile. He really liked this charismatic Servant.

"Ah, be sure that I will keep my promise."

Lancer looked at Saber for a while, before she stood up and declared:

"So our alliance ends here, despite what our Masters may think."

"We both knew this moment will come, sooner or later. Our goals were different from the very beginning."

Arturia nodded.

"Good that we agree on this matter. It's nothing personal. I won't deny that I can be ruthless when it's needed, but I wish not to kill children, especially the child of my Master. I won't hurt Illyasviel, I can promise you at least this one thing."

"I really appreciate it," Siegfried replied honestly. "But I refuse to fight you anyway."

"Hmm." Arturia's smile was a rare view… and simply stunning.

Lancer had clearly nothing more to say, so she disappeared into her spirit form, leaving Siegfried lost deeply in thought.

"Hey, reality is calling, we have no time! You're not Heroic Spirit Romeo, you know?!" Archer pressed a finger to his lips, thinking. "I suppose Romeo would materialize in Saber class as well, don't you think?"

"I'm… not sure if I want to know, really." Siegfried blinked several times at the thought. "We should go. Too bad the meeting ended this way, we still don't know what to do…"

"Well, at least we tried." Robin shrugged. "Assassin, you're going with us?" Suddenly the green bowman tensed and stepped back; his unexpected nervousness made Siegfried alert as well. "Hey, are you angry or something? What's wrong?"

Asako did not answer, she only clenched her fists in frustration and melted with shadows around the castle. Both Archer and Saber stood there for a while, focused on their surroundings, like expecting a sudden assault. When nothing suspicious happened, Robin stared questioningly at Siegfried, but the swordsman only sighed.

"I'm not sure what'd just happened, but I guess there's only two of us now. Other alliances ended quickly, don't you think?"

"At least we tried," Archer repeated. "Come, big guy, Operation Sakura can't wait any longer."

Saber nodded.

"Oh, I almost forgot," he said later, following Archer through the sleeping forest near the castle. "My Master wants to speak with you when we'll return."

"You mean if we'll return…"

"No," Siegfried said with an absolute confidence in his voice. "When we'll return."

Archer did not say a thing, but deep inside, for the first time since his summoning, he felt that he's in the right place at the right time.

Black bulls ran through the sleeping streets of Fuyuki. Only sounds of their hooves – and one very grumpy Master - disturbed the silence in this part of the city.

"Riiideeeeeer, what did you mean by 'have some fun', huh? Are you going to run around like a madman you are, conquering towns or something? Don't you think that I may have something to say about it? Hey!" Waver's verbal rampage ended suddenly, when their chariot stopped violently in the middle of the red bridge. Young Master almost broke his nose while hitting Rider's back, completely unprepared for the impact. "What are y… What?! Another Servant?"

Iskandar nodded, staring at the woman in black dress, who was standing just a few meters before the chariot. Her Master was nowhere to be seen, so she must have detected them sooner and prepared the ambush.

"It seems that the Grail is really broken, it just keeps summoning strange Heroic Spirits… What can you see, boy?"

Waver blinked, trying to 'read' the abilities of the enemy Servant.

"She has attributes of Saber and Berserker class, and her aura is similar to Lancer's. She's probably a fallen knight, too. A powerful one. And… I-is that Saber's sword?" The young magus shivered. "She can steal Noble Phantasms? Maybe this is the reason why Saber refused to fight?"

"I doubt something like that is possible."

"But be careful anyway."

Iskandar did not answer, focused on the warrior before him. His eyes were carefully scanning the woman, seeking her weak points and clues.

Sure that Rider found nothing that could help him during their fight, Avenger smiled and walked up to him. She bowed slightly, like a true princess, and King of Conquerors found her surprisingly charming for a fallen warrior… at least until she spoke.

"Nice to meet you, Rider. I'm glad you came. I was getting frustrated and bored of walking pointlessly through the town, so don't worry. I'll end you quickly."

"Oh?" Iskandar seemed as cheerful as usual, but Waver could feel the energy gathered around him. He was prepared to charge at the enemy and smash her, no doubt. "What a bold thing to say by someone who steals other hero's sword!"

All her charm vanished in a blink of an eye, when the woman in black entered Berserker's mode.

"How dare you?! This sword is my legacy! It had been stolen, that's true, but I came through hell to get it back." The way she grabbed her gigantic weapon seemed strangely familiar. "And I let no one insult me like that!"

"I see." Rider stroke his beard. "I think I know who you are." His little provocation worked surprisingly well, but knowing a trigger to make her mad was not a meaningful advantage. Better this than nothing, though.

"It doesn't matter for me." Her sword started emitting strange shadows when she launched an attack. "Die!"

"Light is at the other end of the world — conquer! Via Expugnatio!" Rider did not wait either, his bulls charged forward at full speed, the entire chariot became an electrified, deadly weapon.

Shadow clashed with lightning with a terrible noise. The energy of the impact threw the chariot few meters back. In silence that had fallen on the battlefield only one sound ringed in their ears - a woman's hysterical laugher.

Waver opened his eyes, shut during their short but fierce duel, to glance at their enemy. She looked… bruised, like she had been hit by a train, but clearly wasn't damaged enough to stop laughing.

"Is this all you've got?" The black Servant raised her sword, preparing Noble Phantasm – a raging inferno of twirling dark energy.

Waver swallowed at the view.

"Riiiideeer!" He desperately pulled Iskandar's coat. They weren't ready for something like that.

"Ah, this time you're right, boy." The bulls made an angry noise when their master ordered them to raise into the air. "It's a good moment for tactical retreat."

They were flying above the city for a while in complete silence. Iskandar seemed more gloomy than ever, maybe just lost in thought, or maybe…

"Rider?" - Waver asked hesitantly, disturbingly quiet. He almost clung to his Servant's back. "Are you angry?"

"What? Why do you ask, boy?"

"Because… because of my panic attack we ran away from the battlefield… like cowards…"

The King of Conquerors remained silent for a while, but then burst out laughing. When he spoke at last, there was something warmer in his voice. He was clearly proud of his young Master.

"Have I not told you that you were right, boy? You read the situation perfectly. No sane warrior would challenge a dangerous lunatic without a plan. Next time we will be prepared and we'll win."

"I see." Even if Waver was still hesitant, Iskandar's kind words really calmed his heart.

Thank You for reading! It's nice to be back here! Sorry for keep you waiting for so long and many thanks for voting in the poll - the winners will certainly appear in the continuation (if You still want to read this story, of course).

Also, I work on a new project, inspired by FGO, starring: Arthur Pendragon, Beowulf, Caster Cu, Sasaki Kojiro, Diarmuid and more... Please let me know if You're interested in such story, AU with a lot of computers and time travels.

Thanks again and see you next time!